1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 5 June 2017 b. Date Received: 7 June 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of a dishonorable discharge to honorable; however, a review of the applicant's characterization of service for the period under review, reflects the applicant received an uncharacterized discharge. Therefore, the applicant's request is construed to mean the applicant requests an upgrade of an uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, because the VA reflects the discharge as dishonorable, the applicant is denied a discount on property taxes. The applicant does not understand why the VA reflects the discharge as dishonorable, because the applicant was never in trouble during the military career. The applicant questions how it was possible for the applicant to be kicked out of the military with a dishonorable discharge, but then deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, which was honorable. The applicant would understand, had the applicant done something wrong during the period of service, but never had been in any trouble during the entire military career. The applicant is trying to use earned benefits, but the VA does not see a document in the file, such as a DD Form 214, for the period under review. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 7 August 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable based on the circumstances surrounding the discharge. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Completion of Required Active Service / AR 635-200 / Chapter 4 / MBK / NA / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 12 February 2003 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NA (2) Basis for Separation: Completion of Required Active Service (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: NA (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NA 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 17 September 2002 / 21 weeks (IADT) b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / HS Graduate / 98 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 92G10, Food Service Specialist / 8 months, 19 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: ARNG, 24 May 2002 - 17 February 2003 / NA (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: ASR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: The applicant provided a copy of his Department of Veterans Affairs, summary of benefits, dated 5 June 2017, which reflects the applicant's character of service for the period under review as Dishonorable. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293; VA Summary of Benefits. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 4 of that regulation provides, in pertinent part, for the separation of individuals upon completion of required service (i.e., expiration term of service). The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under the provisions of Chapter 4, AR 635-200 will be honorable unless the Soldier is in entry-level status. The service of Soldiers in entry-level status will be uncharacterized. A Soldier is in an entry- level status if the Soldier has not completed more than 180 days of creditable continuous active duty at the time of the discharge or release from active duty. In the case of an ARNGUS or USAR Soldier on active duty (AD) or active duty training (ADT) who is to be discharged, the character of the period of service from which he/she is being discharged will be based solely on military behavior and performance of duty during the current period of service while actually performing AD or ADT. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms that the applicant's discharge was appropriate because the applicant completed the required service in which he was ordered to Active Duty. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that the applicant should have been retained on Active Duty. A general discharge (GD) under honorable conditions is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge (HD) is rarely ever granted. An HD may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. Further, the uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant's overall record of service. An uncharacterized discharge is neither positive nor negative and it is not meant to be a negative reflection of a Soldier's military service. It merely means that the Soldier has not been in the Army long enough for his or her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. The applicant contends that he had good service and did not know his service was characterized as dishonorable. However, the record does not contain any indication or evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The applicant's DD Form 214, correctly reflects the applicant received an uncharacterized character of service. It appears, based on the VA, Summary of Benefits submitted by the applicant, that the VA record erroneously reflects his service as dishonorable for the period under review. Further, VA records, do not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. The applicant may obtain copies of his official military records, by contacting the National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. Their website provides further information - http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority, and the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 7 August 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable based on the circumstances surrounding the discharge. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD / RE Code to: No Change Authenticating Official: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer SCM - Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial BH - Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20170009946 1